Fortunately, it seems that a global awareness is being born that protects these animals...
It is difficult to see any positive face to the complicated situation that the world is experiencing lately. However, the release of 78 Thai elephants , who will no longer have to carry tourists on their backs, could be one.
The decision to free the pachyderms from their chains -literally speaking- it was taken a while ago , but the health crisis has accelerated it for a few months. "On March 23, 2020, due to the situation posed by the Coronavirus, the Thai government announced that all non-essential businesses should close until April 13. It was then decided that this would be the time to end the elephant show and the tourist walks in the Maesa camp", said those responsible for the business on their social networks on March 30.
"That day, all the chairs used for those rides were removed from the camp. There will be no more elephants carrying loads , there will be no more shows for visitors. When Maesa Camp reopens, it will be for people to come and see that elephants are elephants, they live naturally, form social groups with each other and have fun," the statement continued.
"The manager of the Maesa elephant camp, the Anchalee Kalmapijit, decided that the time had come time for a change ", reflects for Traveler Colin Penberthy, head of the Public Relations department of Maesa Elephant Camp.
This image is already part of the past of the Maesa Elephant Camp
"The ancient shows that these animals offered, as well as their mounting, are very controversial activities these days. People are better informed now, and there is a general movement towards a more ethical practice for all the wildlife attractions, not just the elephants. Most tourists now want to see these beings in a natural environment, behaving in a way that is normal for them."
"But this is not just about business: it's about what's right for elephants . Our founder, Choochart Kalmapijit, sadly passed away last year, and we want Maesa Elephant Camp [now run by his daughter], to become something special to honor his memory and carry on his legacy. And what better way than to see the elephants free to enjoy life," explains Penberthy.
THE FIRST DAYS IN FREEDOM
"At first it was weird for them "recalls the professional. "They were used to the routine of being chained and having the saddle placed on their backs from the beginning of the day. Suddenly discovering that it wasn't happening anymore made them not want to stray too far from where they used to be," she continues.
"Also, the mahouts ("tamers") were wary of the change. They weren't sure how they would react. We had to train them to control their elephants without using a hook , but by giving verbal commands only. It was a learning process for both the staff and the animals."
However, after those first moments full of doubts, now, less than a week later, the positive effects of the change are beginning to be felt: "Elephants they begin to show their true character Penberthy says.
“We started to see that some are playful, some are mischievous, some prefer to keep their distance and take lonely walks around the camp… They are forming their social groups, making friends with each other. It's moving to watch them as they begin this new chapter in their lives.
When everything returns to normal, yes, the elephants will continue to enjoy their well-deserved freedom, but the camp will not reopen yet: it will take some time to convert the facilities of the Thai Elephant Care Center, which is part of the same company, into The Chang ("the elephant"), a space of museums and educational spaces -with free access- and a center for the protection of wild pachyderms that still remain in the country, as well as improving the hospital for these animals that is already underway.
They will also try to give domesticated elephants a better life, with a mahout school in which respectful training methods are taught to these professionals. Likewise, the place will not continue to breed animals in captivity.
With the reopening, too, the volunteer program , which will form the heart of Maesa Camp, which will be renamed The Maesa Elephant Conservation Center. It will allow stays of up to a week to take care of the elephants, live with the local community to experience the Lanna culture and provide school help to the children of the nearby tribes.
A happy new life for elephants
THE PROBLEM BEHIND THE HAPPY PARADIGM SHIFT
"Moving from the traditional elephant show to allowing these animals more freedom is becoming a popular change for many camps ", analyzes the expert. "This is the way for any business related to wild animals that wants to survive. It's more and more what the public wants, and we're all aware that it's the right thing to do."
However, this release does not include the release of pachydems into the wild for two reasons: the first is that it is prohibited by law, but even if it were not, the animals would not know how to function in the jungle. "In addition, human encroachment on land would lead to conflict for elephants," adds Penberthy. "We see it far too often in the few remaining herds of wild elephants."
The professional refers to the 3,000 free copies that live in the already little wild space available in the country, a smaller number than that of domesticated elephants, which reaches 3,800, according to The New York Times. So, assuming that releasing the pachyderms into the jungle were possible, it would not be viable either.
For all these reasons, during these months in which there are no tourists, with the animals released in Maesa Camp or simply on forced vacations in the rest of the camps that still use them to trade with them, the main concern lies in how to get the means to feed the elephants.
"We are all closed due to the Coronavirus situation, with no income, while feeding and keeping the elephant healthy is a priority. We try to help each other, supplying food and other essential items that we can provide to others. We also receive many donations from the public, and not only money [which can be donated through transfer], but also food. For example, we received calls from farmers who invite us to go to their land and cut corn or other crops to feed them Penberthy explains.
As stated in the aforementioned article in The New York Times, feeding just one of these gigantic animals, a symbol of the Thai nation, it costs about 40 dollars a day, an amount that multiplies by three the daily minimum wage in the country.
The pressure is great. Theerapat Trungprakan, chairman of the Thailand Elephant Alliance Association, which brings together attractions featuring elephants, has said he fears that unless the government intervenes, some elephants are forced to fend for themselves on the streets or even to be used for illegal logging operations, one of the trades for which these pachyderms have traditionally been destined.